Do you ride steel racing frame differently ?

[makoti]

I go back & forth between steel & carbon frames and notice no drop off in performance (if you can call my riding that) or comfort. I have had AL, Ti, Steel, Carbon. And despite knowing otherwise, the AL & Ti, a Trek 2000 & Merlin 1st gen, felt sluggish compared to my steel frame. Kind of dead. So, yeah, your steel frame may just not be a very lively, responsive frame. It may be that steel doesn't work for you. I agree with others - don't force ride something you're not enjoying.